Peter Koevari - Prophecies Awakening

They sat beside the great roots of an oak tree and began to dig into the juicy spiced deer meat.

“So, what do you dream of, big brother? Surely you don’t want to help mother and father run the farm forever, do you?” asked Finn, watching his older brother with innocent curiosity.

Vartan stopped chewing for a moment to consider the question. “I truly don’t know the answer to that, Finn. Maybe I will travel the lands in search of a young damsel in distress, discover some famous treasure for all to remember me by, or be a trader like father and travel to She’Ma’Ryn. Maybe I can save enough gold to start my own farm. We are still so young, brother-do we really need to decide now?” He grinned mischievously. “Not every boy wants to be a glorious knight, you know, but don’t let anyone sour your dreams. If it is a knight you want to be, then we sure have plenty of trees around us for you to practice on, and enough for years to come. And of course, we have plenty of ground for you to fall onto as well.”

Vartan stood suddenly and whispered, “The sun’s setting, and we have to be careful in these woods. That’s more than enough practice and fooling around for one day. In all our fun, we’ve allowed the day to pass us by with no time left to waste. Stay close to my side and don’t fall behind."

The woods were fast slipping into the cold bosom of darkness. Vartan sighed deeply and let out a harsh breath. “Damn! Night is already falling upon us, and we have no lamps, and have found no beast for supper."

The sounds of the forest died down and even the crickets were silenced. Only their footsteps could be heard.

“Finn, I fear we may be in danger. We have to find supper fast, then head back to the farm swiftly. Father would be displeased if we return home empty handed.”

“Vartan?” Finn began.

Vartan snapped his head to Finn and brought his index finger to his lips. “Not now! Stay quiet-I think something moved up ahead,”

“But Vartan,” whispered Finn, “your bow, it’s glowing.”

Vartan stood still, suddenly realising that his back had warmed. Crouching down on one knee, he eased the elven bow off his back and saw purple light glowing from the runes carved deeply into the wood.

“What do you think it means?” asked Finn.

“I do not know, brother. I am unable to read this. It could only be some form of magic.”

Snap!

Vartan heard ragged movements only a short distance from where they stood, and he instinctively pulled Finn behind his back for protection. He reached into his hunting sack and pulled out a shiny metal arrow. Easing it into his left hand, he gently strained the bow into position and remained as silent as the night itself. Only a soft hum could be heard from the taut string of the bow. There was a faint light moving through the trees, and the sound of steps coming closer.

He whispered through stiff lips. "Don't… move…"

Vartan slowly lifted the bow in a smooth motion until the cold silver of the razor-sharp arrow rested on his cheek. The light became even brighter as the creature neared, easing its body through the bushes surrounding the trees. It came to a gentle halt and stared curiously at the two boys crouched on the forest floor.

“Finn, you need to see this-I can hardly believe my eyes. Come around me slowly, and try not to make too much noise,” whispered Vartan, gently lowering his weapon.

Finn's voice broke with his sharp intake of breath as he took in the sight before him. “Can that really be what I think it is? It’s so beautiful."

Directly in front of them, an adult unicorn stood proudly. Warily, it moved towards the boys and halted a man’s length away from them. Vartan stood slowly and raised an arm towards the unicorn’s neck. It instinctively moved its head away for a moment and stared at the glowing bow with wide eyes.

“It’s okay, my friend. We shall not harm you,” Vartan said gently.

Finn reached up and touched the unicorn’s horn, and he was surprised by its texture.

“Vartan, the horn feels warm,” Finn giggled.

The unicorn turned to Vartan and cocked its head to the side.

It is not your presence that I fear, human. Leave this place as soon as you can. It is not safe here for any of us, said a voice in his mind.

Vartan jumped back and looked around in confusion, only to find no other presence in sight.

Did a unicorn just talk to me? Am I losing my mind? thought Vartan.

Of course I spoke to you. We should not be meeting like this. The time isn't right. Are you not aware-

Suddenly, and without warning, it turned its body sharply and stared deep into the darkness.

Vartan whispered, "What's wrong?"

The beast's voice reverberated in his head.

Run!

The unicorn snorted and galloped away at full speed until its white glow could no longer be seen.

Vartan caught a quick glint of moonlight through the blanket of trees, reflecting off a metallic object flying through the air with penetrating speed. There was no time to waste on thinking. As if time itself had slowed to a crawl, he leapt backwards and shoved Finn out of the path of the unknown missile slicing its way through the icy air.

Vartan landed heavily on top of his brother, who yelped in pain at the weight suddenly crushing him. Finn's voice shrieked, "I’m scared!"

There was a loud thud as the weapon embedded itself in the trunk of an oak tree, only a body length away from where the boys lay. Vartan looked up and saw what appeared to be a plain dagger, but just as it came into focus, it quickly dissolved into nothing.

Vartan blurted involuntarily, "Dark magic…"

A voice whispered from within the darkness. "Fools!"

Suddenly, something darted between the trees, like a moving shadow.

“Who are you? Tell us what you want with us!” growled Vartan angrily into the darkness.

There was a moment of uneasiness as the boys found their feet. Not a sound could be heard aside from their lungs expelling air. The night became noticeably cooler, and a chill found its way up their spines as their hot breaths formed mist in the air.

“Brother, I want to go home now,” cried Finn.

“Stay still and don’t move a muscle!” hissed Vartan, pushing his brother back onto the muddy forest floor and once again readying his bow. His slow steps crunched the twigs on the forest floor beneath his weight.

“You shouldn’t be here!” reverberated a dark voice that sounded as if it came from all around them.

Suddenly, Vartan realised what had found them. They had truly ventured too far into the forest this time.

Shadow demons, he thought.

His father had warned him about the Forces of Darkness that preyed on innocents in the woods and had no compassion, not even for children. They could move wherever no light shone, and they used the shadows as portals to their realms.

Vartan heard the sound of leaves rustling all around, and spun on his heel when he heard rough movement behind him.

“He’s toying with us,” he said, as he turned in all directions, desperately seeking any signs of movement to give away the being’s presence.

Finn ran toward the darkness with his sword drawn, slashing wildly at the shadows. His tears shone in the moonlight as he screamed, “I’m not afraid of you!”

“Finn, no!” cried Vartan.

A shifting figure of darkness slithered out from behind a tree, jerking Finn to a sudden stop mid-jump as it grabbed hold of his frail neck, making it appear that he was suspended in the dark air.

“Pathetic creatures! You think you can attack me and live to tell the tale?” The demon twisted and threw Finn like a toy doll against the trunk of the oak tree beside them. The sharp and sickening sound of bones snapping filled the air, as the young boy’s body gave way to the rock-hard surface that he hit with full force. Vartan froze, his body like a statue as he watched helplessly. His brother’s now-lifeless body crumpled to the ground.